Walking Only Routes

Wellington has extensive walking tracks and trails that cover a wide range of landscapes and take in scenic views of the city and costs.  The Wellington City Council website provides a wonderful list of walks and walkways including this Top 20 Welly Walks list.

Walking & Cycling Routes

There’s plenty of tracks that can be enjoyed by both walkers and cyclists.  As always, cyclists should be courteous and give priority to walkers.   Below are some examples

• Remutaka Rail Trail – a 18km one way gently graded walk from Kaitoke (north of Upper Hutt) to Cross Creek carpark (south of Featherston).   Allow for 4.5 hours when walking this.  Or half the time if you are doing this on a bike. You can do return trip to summit.  This trail follows the historic railway route that ran from Featherston to the Hutt Valley.  The railway line itself is no longer there but you will go through a number of tunnels, so bring torches!
• Te Whiti Riser – a 3.7km all-weather track that follows a gentle gradient from Te Whiti Park in Lower Hutt to the top the Eastern Hutt Hills.  You can do this either as a return trip, or carry on south on the ECNZ firebreak where you will come to the walk & cycle bridge that crosses the Wainuiomata Road, from where you can follow the shared path back down to the Hutt. 
• Korokore Dam Loop – a beautiful 2.53 km track that drops down from Oakleigh Street up in Maungaraki to the Korokoro dam and back up again.  Or you can carry on down the Korokoro Stream which takes you to Cornish Street in Petone.
• Hutt River Trail – This is an easy scenic walk and cycle path running alongside the beautiful Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River from Petone to Te Marua. The 29km Hutt River Trail also boasts access to the river for swimming, fishing and kayaking.
•  Waimapihi (Polhill) Reserve Loop  – this 7.3km track starts on Aro Street just before Holloway Road and carries on up the hill to the Brooklyn Wind Turbine before looping back to where you started.

Cycling Trails & Parks

Wellington has many mountain bike parks, and there is the fantastic Remutaka Cycle Trail.  Go crazy!

• Remutaka Cycle Trail – Starting on the edge of Wellington Harbour, this diverse trail winds up the leafy Hutt Valley before climbing gently over the forested Remutaka Ranges and skirting around the rugged coast back towards the capital.  This is one of New Zealand’s 23 Great Rides.
• Mākara Mountain Biking Park – With the largest trail network in the lower North Island, Mākara Peak has something for riders of all ages and abilities. There are wide, flowing single tracks with gentle gradients that are perfect for beginners, children and families. Plus there are some of the steepest, narrowest and gnarliest trails that challenge the experts.
• Wainuiomata Mountain Biking Park – This park offers 55km of a diverse range of trail options catering to riders of all skill levels, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy on their mountain biking adventure.